4 spd vs 5 spd pros and cons

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by DanEC

Transmission choice may depend on your age and past car ownership. I'm old enough that a Muncie or Toploader 4 speed just feels natural and I like the feel of a good Hurst shifter/linkage. If you are younger than me and driven mostly 5 and 6 speed cars then it's logical that's the way you would want to go.

I have a 6 speed Mustang GT for a daily driver and in town I feel like I'm driving a truck in going through all 6 gears. So, what do I do - skip a couple gears and end up driving it like a 4 speed.

It's kind of a decision you need to make based on your own experiences and preferences.

Originally Posted by Bernica

Just don't play the "Real" card. I am far from that. I just like the original feeling of what they had in the day and what I grew up with,.

Couldn't have said it better myself, Bernica and Dan. OK, my 289FIA replica has an aluminium monocoque, but I wouldn't even consider anything but an SBF, and although the gearbox isn't a T10, it's period correct and it will give me that "original feeling" and simplicity that I'm chasing. I'm not going to do any 'continent crossing' or heavy traffic work, so a lack of a 5th or 6th gear is of no concern.

To the OP, do you like modern gearboxes with modern gearshifts, or do you want the gearshift feel of a '60s Toploader? A lot of Cobra replica owners do continual development on their cars, so what you start out with doesn't have to be what you eventually end up with. These cars are meant to be 'developed' to suit. After all, that's part of the 'affliction'.

Cheers,
Glen